Not too lengthy in the past, our good pal and ace photographer Kazuo Matsumoto launched us to the work of Minoru Watanabe at Fatech in Tokyo, Japan. Watanabe-san clearly by no means takes a day without work, as a result of he’s already blessed us with one other glamorous classic Harley Shovelhead. This one’s dripping with simply as a lot nostalgic Americana because the final—but it surely’s far more sparkly.
The strains, particulars, and finishes on Fatech’s {custom} bikes replicate Minoru’s private pursuits. He’s equally enthusiastic about classic choppers and scorching rods, and is the proud proprietor of a 1930 Ford Mannequin A Roadster. “The proprietor of this machine and I each love outdated American motor tradition,” he explains, “so we determined to customise it based mostly on the model of Nineteen Sixties gasser drag racers.”
The purpose was to construct the two-wheeled equal of a muscle automobile, with a shimmering paint job that might evoke pictures of Nineteen Sixties Californian summers. The bike wanted a complete lot of shiny bits, an acceptable title, and an accompanying brand in a period-correct model. With a 1936 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide on the bench, Minoru had his work lower out for him.
As per Fatech’s normal working process, the Shovelhead motor was the highest precedence. Minoru rebuilt the inventory 74 cubic-inch engine right into a stonking 93 cubic-inch powerhouse, with a balanced Truett & Osborn backside finish, coated pistons, and modified S&S Cycle heads. Different hop-up components embody an Andrews camshaft, Jims USA tappets, and a Dyna S ignition from Dynatek.
On the surface, you’ll discover a Sputhe cam cowl and a 2” open belt main from Rivera Primo. The carb is an S&S Cycle Tremendous E, fitted with a custom-made scooped consumption that provides slightly scorching rod aptitude. Woven between the drivetrain’s parts are elegant copper-nickel oil strains, hand-bent by Minoru.
Every thing is housed in a bespoke chassis that makes use of the OEM lugs, however nothing else. “After speaking with the proprietor, I made a decision to construct a body that, though it appears to be like like a four-speed body, is totally different upon nearer inspection,” says Minoru. “I needed to create a body that nobody had ever seen earlier than.”
The Fatech design locations the steering neck an inch decrease and the rake at 34 levels, and the rear finish is now an inch shorter. Wrapped tightly across the Shovelhead motor, the entire thing appears to be like squat and purposeful. The absence of a conventional rear inflexible triangle can also be value a more in-depth look, as are the myriad pinstriped particulars that adorn the polished body tubes.
Shortened Harley Large Glide forks sit up entrance, gripping a 21” entrance wheel with Firestone rubber. The rear wheel is a 16” merchandise, wrapped in a Coker whitewall. Minoru stored the OEM brakes—an ordinary drum brake up entrance, with a Wagner Lockheed hydraulic drum brake on the again that’s built-in with the sprocket meeting.
As we’ve come to count on from Fatech by now, this Shovelhead’s bodywork is extraordinarily properly judged. Minoru fabricated the slim gasoline tank and flared rear fender from scratch, including twin filler caps and an aluminum strip to the tank to make it appear as if a cut up setup. The middle console, which homes a Motogadget speedo, is lined with rivets that reference outdated plane—a nod to the proprietor’s grandfather, who was a naval pilot.
A classic Elctroline headlight is mounted up entrance, adopted by a slender set of mini ape hangers. The bike employs a foot clutch and hand-shifter, so the bars put on little greater than trimmed Beck grips, an inner throttle, and a entrance brake lever. A pair of micro-switches adorns the left-hand aspect of the bars, with the bike’s ignition barrel and remaining switches hidden elsewhere.
Atelier Cherry dealt with the seat upholstery, whereas Minoru completed the tail finish off with a classic Ford taillight. The bike’s tight proportions are what Minoru calls “Tokyo model,” constructed for darting between automobiles on Tokyo’s bustling streets.
That philosophy is echoed within the gorgeous drag exhausts, that are notched to tuck them contained in the body rails. A {custom} tank is wedged in between the pipes and seat with Tetris-like precision, holding oil in a single part and the bike’s battery and electronics in one other. Minoru additionally fabricated the gorgeous finned aluminum oil filter housing.
There are numerous extra particulars to absorb, however none loud sufficient to detract from the Shovelhead’s scorching rod-worthy ice blue flake paint job. That was the work of the immensely proficient Shakin’ Pace Graphix, who additionally dealt with all of the pinstriping and graphics.
To complete issues off, Minoru dubbed the bike Mighty Roar, earlier than conceiving a tank graphic that depicts a winged cam and tappet curler. “That is the emblem of a fictitious cam grind producer that I got here up with, referred to as Fatech Firm,” he provides, cheekily.
Fatech’s Shovelhead is a rolling tribute to an period when muscle and elegance dominated the streets, mixing scorching rod coronary heart with classic Harley soul. Honoring the previous whereas pushing boundaries, it brings a contact of Californian cool to the streets of downtown Tokyo.
Fatech | Instagram | Photographs by, and with because of, Kazuo Matsumoto
Trending Merchandise
